Northern Regional Minister visits storm-ravaged Bimbilla, Kpandai - Over 4,000 affected
The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, has toured storm-hit communities in Bimbilla and Kpandai, where a violent rainstorm has affected more than 4,000 people and left thousands of households counting their losses.
The minister, accompanied by officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and security heads, visited the affected areas to assess the scale of destruction and reassure residents of the government’s commitment to immediate relief and recovery support.
Nine schools
The storm, characterised by heavy rainfall and strong winds, ripped off the roofs of homes and shops, destroyed properties, and displaced families in both districts last week.
An affected person rebuilding his home after the storm
Academic work was disrupted in at least nine schools after classrooms were damaged.
Preliminary assessments by NADMO indicate that about 3,801 households were impacted across the two districts, with more than 4,000 residents now in urgent need of shelter and essential supplies.
Addressing affected residents, Mr John expressed deep concern over the devastation and conveyed the government’s sympathies to the victims.
He commended NADMO for its swift response and pledged that relief items — including roofing sheets, mattresses, food supplies, and other essentials — would be mobilised without delay.
The minister further assured residents that he would work closely with the MMDCEs to mobilise additional resources to support affected households and rehabilitate damaged public infrastructure.
Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, touring some of the affected sites
On education, he urged school authorities not to suspend academic activities despite the destruction, stressing that final-year students preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) could not afford prolonged interruptions.
“The level of devastation is worrying, but it must not derail academic work. Immediate steps will be taken to repair and reconstruct the affected schools,” he gave an assurance.
Mr John also appealed to NGOs, civil society organisations, corporate bodies, and benevolent individuals to support the affected communities.
Some affected people in the community
“Disaster response is a shared responsibility. We call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to complement the government’s efforts to help victims rebuild their lives,” he said.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting disaster-hit communities across the Northern Region and stressed the need for improved disaster preparedness, stronger building standards, and heightened community awareness to reduce the impact of future storms.
Residents of Bimbilla and Kpandai thanked the minister and his team, describing their visit as a strong show of solidarity in their time of distress.
